Election Day: Idahoans Cast Their Votes On Propositions 1, 2 And 3

November 6, 2012 | 3:07 PM

Mother and daugher Magdalene and Lauren Teears both voted yes on Propositions 1, 2 and 3. "Up until even this morning, I wasn't sure how I was going to vote on those propositions, " Magdalene Teears said. "I went from 'no' on everything to 'no, yes, no' to 'yes, yes, no,' to finally 'yes' on everything. So that's how I ended up voting today."

Steven Burke, a father from Eagle, voted no on Propositions 1, 2 and 3. He said he didn't believe the changes were necessary. "I just feel -- some of the things that have worked for a while are a good way to stay with the path," he said.

Beverlee Brannan, a retiree, voted no on Propositions 1, 2 and 3. "I think the people for it are going to make money off of it," she said. "I think the children and the teachers are out of the issue. That's my problem."

Joe Brian, a van driver for Riverside Hotel, said he would vote no on Propositions 1, 2 and 3. "My mom's a teacher, so she got me interested in it," he said. "I think money would be better spent on having efficient computer labs than on everyone having a laptop."

William Steel, Jr., a self-described retired banker-turned-hippie, voted yes on Propositions 1, 2 and 3. "I'm a machinist union fellow from way back," he said, "but I think the union is an inhibitor, any more, to some of the progress we need to make."

Jason Trainor, who works for the Ada County Sheriff's Department, voted no on Propositions 1, 2 and 3. He says he sees the laws as "handcuffing teachers" in ways that he believes aren't fair for teachers or children.

Brad Larrondo, who works in Boise State University's athletic department, voted no on Propositions 1, 2 and 3. “I did feel like some control was being taken away from the classroom and the teachers," he said. "I voted no in order to try to have teachers have a better opportunity to teach kids, and not have it be online.”

Asa Battista, an acupuncturist, voted no on Propositions 1, 2 and 3. "If you have a plan to revamp everything, it should be known before you get elected into office, so people know what they're getting into," Battista said.

The most potent statewide issue on this Election Day is the tug-of-war over Propositions 1, 2 and 3. Today, as we have talked to voters at polling places in the Boise area, we’ve asked how they decided to vote, and why.

The propositions correspond to three education laws that the Legislature approved in 2011. The laws have been contentious ever since. At the most basic level, the laws do three things: limit collective bargaining for teachers, create a merit pay system, and increase the use of technology in schools. ‘Yes’ votes on Propositions 1, 2 and 3 keep the year-old education laws in place. ‘No’ votes repeal the laws.

You can read more about the propositions and the corresponding laws here. For an Idaho voter guide, with links to voter information click here.

In the comments section below, tell us how you voted, and why, on the three referenda.

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StateImpact Idaho was a reporting project of Boise State Public Radio and NPR focused on explaining how economic issues affect you. For continued coverage of Idaho’s economy, tune into KBSX 91.5 or visit Boise State Public Radio's website.